Bulgaria is Ranked First in Taking Antibiotics in an Inadequate Way

Bulgaria ranks first in the inadequate use of antibiotics. From November 18 to 24, we are organizing a week dedicated to antimicrobial resistance (AR) and COVID-19. This was stated by Elena Tsoneva-Papudjieva from the WHO in Bulgaria at a press conference dedicated to the awareness of antimicrobial resistance and COVID-19, a BGNES reporter reported.

According to Assoc. Prof. Mihail Okoliyski, an expert from the office of the World Health Organization in Bulgaria, the role of the media in informing the public is quite important, because the danger of overuse of antibiotics must reach every citizen.

"AR is one of the biggest threats to human health in this century. The WHO has identified AR as one of the greatest threats to human life, along with climate change, mental health changes and pathogens such as COVID-19. This year our campaign is related to the promotion of certain messages, which we hope will reach more and more people. 3 years ago we developed an AR program that includes all the necessary partners. It was ready, but not yet accepted. We hope that the new government will address this issue, because the consequences will be fatal. One of the steps that the WHO recommends is training, information packages for general practitioners and their patients on how not to prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily, to have a sensitivity on the topic and for people to be interested in their own health," said Assoc. District.

According to him, the overuse of antibiotics is extremely contraindicated.

"The topics of the AR are also related to food safety. Last year we translated a study on the attitudes and behavior of Bulgarians towards COVID-19, prevention measures and vaccines. We have very sensitive data on the topics. There is...